I didn’t expect any visitors that day, so when I heard the doorbell ring, I wondered who it might be. To my surprise, I saw my daughter, Jane, and my grandson, Tommy.

“Mom, I need a favor,” she said. “I need you to take care of Tommy for a few weeks. Maybe a bit more than that.”

When I noticed she carried a huge suitcase, I knew something serious was going on.

Jane wasn’t someone who asked favors lightly, so this was a bit strange. But I didn’t ask any questions. I just gave her a hug and made her promise she would stay safe.

Worry was written all over her face, but when she told me she would be on a work mission, I decided to trust her.
My grandson was a ball of energy. He was lovable, curious, and easy to entertain, so I wasn’t bothered by the fact he would be staying with me for a couple of weeks.

We played games, read stories, and enjoyed his favorite food. At one moment, he spilled the juice all over his t-shirt, so I went upstairs to grab a new one from the suitcase my daughter left.

When I opened it, my heart raced faster than ever. Inside were clothes for all seasons. Jackets and gloves on the top, and then shorts and flip flops underneath. At the bottom, there was an envelope with my name written on it. It was full of cash; more money than I have ever seen in my life.

This only meant one thing, Jane wasn’t coming back any time soon, maybe ever.

I tried to reach her on the phone but failed each time.

Days went by and my grandson started wondering where his mom was.
I contacted her colleagues, her friends, and even her former roommate, but no one heard from Jane. It was as though she vanished into thin air.

Then, one day, my phone rang. It was my daughter asking to speak to my grandson. She avoided answering any of my questions. She just asked from me to trust her and that she would be back. I tell her to promise to me that she would return safe and sound. After she talked to Tommy, she hang up. When I tried to call her back, she didn’t answer.